Hawaii Governor Lingle releases $5 million for solar power systems in schools
Feb 24, 2007
Source: The Molokai Times
http://www.molokaitimes.com/articles/7224132618.asp
Governor Linda Lingle has released $5 million for photovoltaic systems to be installed in at least one public school in each of the four Hawai’i counties, as part of the state’s ongoing effort to increase Hawai’i’s energy self-sufficiency. A pilot program to determine the cost-effectiveness of solar panel systems in schools throughout the state will begin in March 2007. The Department of Education (DOE) will rate all public schools to determine the best locations to install the alternate energy systems, based on criterion such as solar mapping, area electrical rates and other scheduled maintenance.
The solar energy panels are expected to decrease the current use of power from the electrical grids, as well as feed energy back into the system to credit the usage account during times of low use, such as weekends, holidays and summer breaks. Following the two-year pilot program, the DOE will determine the cost effectiveness of the program and whether or not to expand to more schools statewide.
“Using solar energy to supply power to our schools is an innovative solution to one of the challenges in our school system,” said Governor Lingle. “The high cost of powering our school buildings is a major burden for our state, and I am encouraged that the legislature funded this program to use alternative energy sources such as the solar panel systems. These efforts will help decrease Hawai’i’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and will help our state reach the goal of having 20 percent of our energy come from renewable sources by the year 2020.”
The schools which will receive the solar systems are expected to be named by the DOE next month. Construction for this project is scheduled to be complete in June 2008.